Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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30. To ask the Minister for Health the steps that his Department is taking to deploy new technologies such as telehealth that support the wellbeing and health of vulnerable and isolated groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26720/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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One of the most obvious impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic was that it accelerated the use of technology. Access to video technology in particular became ubiquitous, enabling many people to work from home and maintain social distancing.

Across the health systems telehealth solutions were deployed at pace to enable virtual outpatient appointments and provide community based therapy service.

Telehealth solutions were used to monitor oxygen levels for patients at home, which enabled hospitals to discharge patients safely, and earlier than might otherwise have been the case.

The use of telehealth solutions during the pandemic provided important lessons in terms of the suitability of these technologies, the opportunities and risks associated with their use and evidence about the level of acceptance by patients and clinicians alike.

The task in front of us now is to support the continued adoption of telehealth services so patients can benefit from the convenience of accessing health and social care services through virtual as well as physical channels, with obvious benefits to vulnerable and isolated groups.